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MAMMOTH VEIN 

> f - 

CONSOLIDATED 

% 

COAL COMPANY 


REPORTS 


OF THE 

DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENTS, 

ENGINEER, ETC. 


NOVEMBER 25, 1864. 


BOSTON: 

WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, No. i SPRING LANE. 
























MAMMOTH VEIN 

n 

* • 

CONSOLIDATED 


COAL COMPANY. 


HEHOHTS 

OF THE 

DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENTS, 

ENGINEER, ETC. 


NOVEMBER 25, 1 864. 


BOSTON: 

WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, No. 4 SPRING LANE. 
























-"^ c ' s 7 i 






CONTENTS. 





4 


Page. 


Report of Directors,.5 

Report of Trustees,.. . . 11 

Reports of General Superintendent, and General Agent, ... 13 

Reports of P. W. Sheafer, Mining Engineer,.20 

Legal Opinion on Title of Oakland Colliery,.22 

Mammoth Vein Consolidated Coal Company,.23 

Hickory Colliery,—Report of Engineer,.24 

Hickory Colliery,—Inventory, &c.,.30 

Hickory Colliery,—Report of Mine Inspector,.33 

Wolf and Locust Gap Collieries,.42 

Charles E. Smith and Tuscarora Collieries,.46 

Locust Mountain Colliery,.50 

Mahanoy Valley Colliery,.53 

By-Laws, .. 58 






* 
















































. 

* 
























• 








































. 










































DIRECTORS’ REPORT. 


To the Stockholders of the Mammoth Vein Consolidated 
Coal Company: 

Agreeably to the vote of the Stockholders, passed at 
the meeting for organization, requesting the Direc¬ 
tors to call another meeting, or to report in print, as 
to them might seem most expedient, the Board of 
Directors have the honor to submit the following 

REPORT: 

Much time has elapsed, and doubtless the stock¬ 
holders have been impatient to have more detailed 
information laid before them; but circumstances 
beyond the control of the Directors have prevented an 
earlier communication. 

The first matter that engaged the attention of the 
Board was the fact that the lease of one of the collier¬ 
ies, the “ Oakland,” had not been accepted. Upon 
investigation it appeared upon competent authority 
that this colliery had been rejected by the Trustees for 
good and sufficient reasons; first, because the Lessees 



6 


had no right to underlet, and therefore the transaction 
was void; and, secondly, because a great quantity of 
coal had been surreptitiously removed and the mine 
otherwise injured. The Directors therefore fully justi¬ 
fied the Trustees in their decision. In confirmation of 
the facts above stated, we refer to the opinion of Mr. 
Gibbons, a gentleman well skilled in the law, and who 
resides in Pennsylvania, and to the statement of Mr. 
P. W. Sheafer, the experienced engineer; both of 
which documents are appended to this Report. 

The rejection of this colliery having been deter¬ 
mined upon, the sum appropriated for the purchase of 
the lease, $150,000, remained unexpended, and a 
query arose as to the disposition to be made of it. On 
the one hand, it was argued that it should be returned 
to the stockholders, and on the other, that it should be 
retained as working capital. 

This subject engaged the careful attention of the 
Directors. They found that the whole sum paid in by 
the subscribers, to wit, $1,600,000, was to be paid for 
the leases and improvements of the eight collieries, 
and that no provision had been made for working cap¬ 
ital. It must be obvious to the most superficial 
observer that, if the collieries were to be worked at 
all, means must be had to carry on the operations, and, 
as no provision had been made in the original arrange¬ 
ment, it was necessary for the Directors to take some 
course by which this deficiency could be supplied. 
Before the owners of the “ Hickory Colliery ” would 


7 


execute the lease, they demanded that the sum of one 
hundred thousand dollars should be raised and reserved, 
to be expended upon improvements upon the colliery, 
and this sum, together with twenty-five thousand dol¬ 
lars for general uses, was supplied by Mr. Caldwell 
from the earnings of May, to which the Company had 
no substantial claim, and from other sources. This 
latter sum, which was entirely inadequate, was there- 
fore all the working capital for general purposes that 
existed. The Board had no hesitation in arriving at 
the conclusion that*the only proper course for them to 
pursue, was to retain the sum originally destined for 
the 44 Oakland ” Colliery, for the purpose of employing 
it in the general operations of the remaining seven 
collieries. 

* 

There was also another reason that prompted the 
action of the Board, and that was, that eminent legal 
counsel advised them that it was impossible for the 
Directors to refund the money, inasmuch as it would be 
reducing the capital, and that the Board had no right 
to do. 

By the statement of Mr. W. H. Sheafer, General 
Agent, and Mr. William Milnes, Jr., General Super¬ 
intendent, under date of November 1st, a copy of 
which is also appended to this Report, it will be seen 
that the seven collieries are all in a good condition, 
and give promise of very remunerative results. The 
mines have been worked during the summer to great 
disadvantage; only four doing anything,—and the 



8 


strike on the Reading Railroad causing the loss of 
nearly the whole month of July; so that, in the 
opinion of the Directors, the result is quite as favor¬ 
able as could reasonably be expected. 

Up to the 1st of October, the receipts of coal at 
Philadelphia were 73,021 tons, and there were 6,500 
tons in the breakers. There were also 262,000 tons 
cut and ready for shipment, in the mines,—in mining 

A 

which we have expended $224,000 ; all of which has 
to be paid in advance, together with improvements on 
the works, tolls on railroads, &c. • 

The receipts from sales of coal, and the 
estimated value of coal on hand on 
the 1st of October, amounted to . $563,048 59 
From which are to be taken the amounts 
paid for pay-rolls and purchases for 
mining account, . . . . 236,292 95 

Which leaves a net balance to Oct. 1st of $326,775 64 

The amount retained for working capital, 

(including that designed for the Oak¬ 
land purchase,) was,.... $275,000 00 
From which has been ex¬ 
pended for purchases for 
Construction Account, . $60,819 00 
Pay-rolls for Improvement 

Account, . . . 41,785 86 

- 102,604 00 


Which leaves a balance of . 


. $172,395 14 





9 


* 


In which is included the $100,000 set apart for the 
exclusive use of the Hickory Mine. 

By the statement of Messrs. Sheafer and Milnes, it 
appears that the various collieries, when fully at work, 
will yield an annual product of from five to six hun¬ 
dred thousand tons, and with the improvements fully 
completed, these figures can be augmented largely. 
The necessity will therefore be seen for so using our 
funds as not only to make good dividends to the stock¬ 
holders, but to have the means of improving and 
working the property to advantage. 

All reasonable facilities are promised us by the rail¬ 
road, and it is the intention of the Directors to place 
the affairs of the Company upon a firm and permanent 
basis ; to manage the sales of coal to best advantage, 
and to keep the expenses as low as they reasonably 
can and develop the property most judiciously. 

Owing to the delay of the stockholders in taking 
their certificates of stock, the Directors have been pre- 
vented making a final settlement with the Trustees. 
Their accounts have been rendered to the Board, and 
upon careful examination, found to be correct, leaving 
a balance of about thirty thousand dollars due from 
them ; which sum they hold subject to the order of the 
Board, as soon as the stockholders shall have returned 
their receipts and exchanged them for certificates of 
stock. 




10 


From the earnings of the Company to Oct. 1st, the 
Board has declared a dividend of five dollars per share, 
or ten per cent, on the par value, free of government 
tax. 

The Directors have endeavored to ascertain as nearly 
as possible the exact position of the affairs of the 
Company, and to give a plain statement to the stock¬ 
holders, and they are gratified to be able to report so 
favorable a state of the property. 

There appears to- be but one opinion in regard to 
the superior quality of the coal, the size of the veins, 
and the inexhaustable supply, as well as the facilities 
for mining and getting the coal to market, and it only 
requires skilful and careful management to make the 
property one of the most productive in the country. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

By order of the Board of Directors, 

CHAS. G. NAZRO, President. 


Boston, November 22, 1864. 


11 


REPORT OF TRUSTEES. 


Boston, Nov. 15tli, 1864. 

Chas. G. Nazro, Esq., President: 

Dear Sir, —The undersigned received from the 
subscribers to the stock of the Mammoth Vein Consol¬ 
idated Coal Company for 

40,000 shares of stock at $40, . . $1,600,000 

They paid for the titles of the 
“Mahanoy Valley,” 66 Locust 
Gap,” “ Wolf,” “ Hickory,” 
u Locust Mountain,” “Tus- 
carora” and “ Chas. E. 

Smith” Collieries, . . $1,325,000 

They paid to the Company 
the price of the Oakland 
Colliery, .... 150,000 

And the amount set aside 

for a working capital, . 125,000 

-$1,600,000 

The titles of conveyance to all the Collieries were 
submitted to competent counsel, and payment was 
made only after their approval. 





12 


It was the judgment of counsel that payment could 
not safely be made for the Oakland Colliery, by reason 
of certain informalities in the title, and while the 
parties were attempting to heal these informalities, 
there were changes made in the condition of the Col- 
liery which, in the judgment of the undersigned, 
rendered it much less valuable, and, in our judgment, 
unsuitable for purchase, as not being in accordance 
with the statements previously made to the share¬ 
holders. 

Respectfully, 

EDW. C. BATES, 
THOS. J. LEE, 

Trustees. 




13 


REPORTS OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT AND 

GENERAL AGENT. 


Pottsyille, November 1, 1864. 

• * 

To the President and Board of Directors, of the 
Mammoth Vein Consolidated Coal Corporation: 

Gentlemen, —We beg to submit to you the follow¬ 
ing report in regard 'to the present condition of the 
collieries of your Company; also to give an account 
of the improvements, developments and progress 
made since the Company have had possession. 

The properties were conveyed to the Company in 
the month of June last. The Company, in purchas¬ 
ing, became the owners of the mining rights and 
improvements of seven collieries. When we came 
in possession of them for the Company, we found 
that they were all devoid of many of the necessary 
materials requisite for their proper working. Nearly 
all the month of June was consumed in supplying 
the collieries with such materials as were needed; in 
selecting and employing superintendents and other 
officers of the different collieries; in regulating the 
wages of the men in the employ of the Company, and 
in arranging and systematizing the working of the 
mines. 

On the first of July we had everything arranged, 
and were prepared to send forward a large amount of 




14 


coal from the “ Locust Mountain,” “Hickory,” “ Tus- 
carora ” and “ Locust Gap ” Collieries, and were 
changing the breakers and pushing forward the 
improvements at the “A. S. Wolf ” and “ Mahanoy Val¬ 
ley” Collieries, so as to enable us to add their 
shipments by the first of August, to those of the 
other collieries. 

A 

We had also the improvements at the “ Charles E. 
Smith ” Colliery, under such a state of forwardness 
as to insure us an early shipment; but, on the first of 
July, for the first time in eleven years, the employees 
of the Heading, Mahanoy and Broad Mountain, 
Schuylkill Valley and Mine Hill Railroads, struck 
for an advance in wages ; and for nearly three weeks 
neither of these roads, upon which our collieries 
depended for transportation, were able to carry a ton 
of coal to market. This compelled us to stop all our 
works, and to let our collieries remain idle for the 
greater part of the month of July. . 

We propose to give you a detailed account of the 
condition, and what has been done at each of the 
collieries. 

Hickory Colliery. 

• When the Company came into possession of the 

* 

“ Hickory ” Colliery, its capacity was equal to the 
shipment of 80,000 tons per annum. Since then we 
have opened, upon this property, two drifts, one upon 
the “ Skidmore ” with some 600 feet of breast, and 




irmiiiiiiiiMMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 


. : - 







the other upon the “ Six-foot Vein,” with some 600 
feet of breast, both above water-level, and with a run 
of upwards of two miles in extent, and have graded 
a road, which is laid with T rail, from each of these 
drifts to the breaker, and when schute is completed, 
will have added every necessary improvement for the 
preparation of this coal. We are now in condition to 
ship coal from both of these drifts. 

We have commenced and given three months’ labor 
to sinking the new slope upon the “ Mammoth Vein,” 
another lift. This improvement will be completed 
about the month of March. We have also made the 
necessary surveys, — have located and commenced 
sinking a perpendicular shaft to strike the coal basin. 
This improvement is going rapidly forward, and when 
completed will make available a body of several 
millions tons of coal. The one hundred thousand 
dollars which the Company had placed in the hands 
of Trustees, for the purpose of sinking this shaft, 
has been deposited in the United States Mint, to be 
drawn from time to time as needed,—the sum is 
estimated to be sufficient to complete this improve¬ 
ment. Besides these improvements, we have placed 
the colliery in excellent working order, and supplied 
it with all necessary materials. We can safely estimate 
the capacity of this colliery, when the improvements 
now under way are completed, with an addition of a 
new breaker at- the slope, at from three to four 
hundred thousand tons of coal per annum. The 





16 


Company can always rely upon a ready sale of the 
coal from the colliery at a price in advance of any 
other coal in the market; we are now loading all the 
cars that can be obtained. 

The present capacity of the colliery is upwards of 
seven thousand tons per month, but this will gradually 
be increased, we think, to ten or twelve thousand tons. 

Tuscarora Colliery . 

At the “ Tuscarora Colliery ” we have now a large 
body of coal opened, and are in condition to send 
forward large shipments. We have very much 
improved the condition of this colliery since the 
Company have had possession, and are now arranging 
the breaker to prepare the coal in the same way and 
manner as that of the “ Hickory ” is now prepared. 
The coal is of superior quality, and the improvements 
now making in its preparation will give it a reputation 
in the market equal to that of the “ Hickory.” We 
are now loading all the cars that can be obtained. 
The present capacity of the colliery is equal to six 
thousand tons per month, and will be gradually 
increasing. The coal is all above water-level, and 
has several miles of run. 

C. E. Smith Colliery . 

The improvements .at the “ Chas. E. Smith Colliery” 
are nearly completed, and we expect to be able to 
ship coal in about six or eight weeks from this time. 





17 


The gangways upon the vein are ready to be turned, 
and we find the coal to be excellent. We have 
expended a considerable sum of money in completing 
the improvements at this colliery since the Company 
have had possession, and feel safe in saying that 
when completed there will be no better colliery in 
Pennsylvania. There is an immense field of coal of 
superior quality, and the improvements are of the 
most substantial character. We can safely estimate 
the capacity of this colliery at one hundred and fifty 
thousand tons per annum, when fully opened. 

Locust Mountain Colliery. 

The “ Locust Mountain ” Colliery is in good work¬ 
ing order. Its condition has very much improved 
since it came into the Company’s possession. Our 
expenditures for improvements here have been trifling 
as yet. We find the vein in excellent condition, and 
can promise the Company a gradual increase in its 
shipments. We are loading all the cars that can be 
obtained. Its present capacity is equal to six thousand 
tons per month. 

Mahanoy Valley Colliery. 

Since the Company have had possession of “ Maha¬ 
noy Valley Colliery,” we have completed all the 
improvements, and have driven the tunnel from the 
“ Primrose ” to the 66 Mammoth vein.” We have now 

opened here one of the finest bodies of coal to be found 

2 


H M WMlllUUllU M MMIlIJMa 





18 


in the State. We were all ready to ship coal from this 
colliery early in August, but could not do so for want 
of cars, which the Reading Road refused to supply 
us with until the Company was properly organized, 
and a right of way to our breaker deeded, to them. 
All this having been done, we are now prepared to 
ship eight thousand tons per month, with a gradual 
increase as our gangways are continued. This colliery 
far exceeds anything we had ever expected of it. 
We estimate we have ten or twelve years working 
above water-level without sinking. 

Locust Gap Colliery. 

At the “ Locust Gap Colliery ” we have made con¬ 
siderable improvement in both inside and outside 
works. We have a splendid body of coal now opened, 
and are loading all the cars that can be had. We 
have arranged for an additional supply, and the 
Company can look for a large increase in the ship¬ 
ments from this colliery. The breasts at the colliery 

% 

are now 125 yards long above water-level, the coal 
splendid, and as good as any in the region. 

A. S. Wolf Colliery . 

At the “ A. S. Wolf Colliery” we have a large body 
of excellent coal opened; the improvements in the 
breaker are about completed, and our shipments will 
increase as our gangways advance. 

We feel highly gratified with the present condition 
and future prospects of all the collieries of the 



19 


Company, and we have no hesitation in saying that 
we can safely expect great results when all the 
collieries are fully at work. From their present capa¬ 
city, we can promise, if we get the cars or means of 
transportation, from forty to fifty thousand tons per 
month, and with the improvements fully completed 
we can place it at a much higher figure. 

When we take into consideration the great extent 
of property, the superiority of the coal, the cheapness 
with which it can be mined, the extent of the vein, 
the improvements in the machinery for preparation, 
and the nearness to market, we have no hesitation in 
saying that this Company should be well able to 
compete with any other organization in the region. 

The collieries are now well supplied with all the 

• 

necessary materials, and are in the hands of good 
superintendents and officers. 

The business at the “ general office,” as well as at 
the several collieries, we believe to be working with 
system and economy. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

W. H. SHEAFER, 

General Agent M. V. C. C. Corporation. 

WM. MILNES, Jr., 

General Sup’t M. V. C. C. Corporation. 





mxnimnn 








20 


REPORT OF P. W. SHEAFER, MINING ENGINEER. 


Pottsyille, Nov. 5, 1864. 

To the President and Board of Directors of the Mam¬ 
moth Vein Consolidated Coal Co: 

Gentlemen, — The Oakland Colliery, which was 
intended to have been a part of the property embraced 
in the purchases by your Company, I examined and 
made a report upon in the month of March last. 

Although a good colliery, I considered it inferior to 
any other embraced in the purchase. Upon a second 
examination just previous to the time when the Com¬ 
pany were to have taken possession, I found its 
condition so changed that I did not feel warranted in 
recommending its acceptance. I also had a thorough 
examination made by my mine-inspector, Mr. Thomas, 
;and the General Superintendent of your Company, 
(Mr. W. IT. Sheaffer,) both of whom fully agreed with 
me, that in the condition in which they found the col¬ 
liery, it would not be for the interest of your Company 
to purchase it. Your Company has now seven col¬ 
lieries of large capacity, and which are capable of being 
very greatly increased. Would it not, therefore, be 



21 


your true policy to place the money intended for the 
purchase of the Oakland Colliery, into the treasury of 
your Company, to be used for the further development 
of the properties you now possess \ The money thus 
judiciously spent will increase their capacity, while it 
diminishes the number and attendant expenses of the 
Company. It is always better to have two collieries, of 
150,000 tons each, than to work three of 100,000 tons 
each. Since you first took possession, the condition of 
all your collieries has been improved. The money 
expended has helped the preparation of your coal, 
thoroughly equipped your collieries for a larger busi¬ 
ness and given them a capacity greater than was 
promised. 

With the additional improvements contemplated by 
your Engineer and Superintendent, to be paid for from 
the Oakland fund, the cost of mining your coal will 
be lessened, and the quantity increased. 

I congratulate you, upon the possession of extensive 
and valuable properties which cannot fail to pay large 
dividends upon the valuation at which you obtained 
them. 

With respect, yours truly,. 

P. W. SHEAFEE, 

Engineer of Mines. 


22 


LEGAL OPINION ON TITLE OE OAKLAND COLLIERY. 


Philadelphia, Oct. 30, 1864. 

To the President and Directors of the Mammoth Vein 
Consolidated Coal Co.: 

Gentlemen, —I carefully examined the title of the 
parties claiming to be the lessees of the Oakland Col¬ 
liery, and the question of their power to assign the 
lease to your Company. I found that the lessees 
were prohibited, by the terms of the lease, from sub¬ 
letting or assigning it without the consent of the 
lessors, and that an assignment without consent would 
work a forfeiture of the lease. As their consent 
could not be obtained, I advised that your Company 
should not accept the assignment. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

CHAS. GIBBONS, 

Attorney at Law. 


\ 





23 


MAMMOTH VEIN CONSOLIDATED COAL 

COMPANY. 


CAPITAL, #2,000,000. 

* -- ' " T*' ’ 

INCORPORATED BY THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


The property • of this corporation consists of a 
consolidation of the following collieries: 

The Hickory Colliery. 

The A. S. Wolf Colliery.' 

The Locust Gap Colliery. 

The Charles E. Smith Colliery. 

The Tuscarora Colliery. 

The Locust Mountain Colliery. 

The Mahanoy Valley Colliery. 

All these collieries are situated in close proximity 
to the market, and are mining the thickest veins of 
the anthracite coal-fields. 

A full description of each colliery will be found in 
the annexed Reports by P. W. Sheafer, Engineer of 
Mines, whose whole time is employed in locating, 
planning and arranging collieries, and who has a 
practical knowledge of the anthracite coal-fields 
believed to be superior to that of any other engineer. 


i 






HICKORY COLLIERY. 


REPORT BY P. W. SHEAFER, ENGINEER OF MINES. 


My report is asked upon the Hickory Colliery of 
Messrs. Milnes and Company, at St. Clair, in Schuyl¬ 
kill County, Pennsylvania. 

Its precise location is upon the outcrop of the 
Mammoth and Seven-foot coal beds, on the south 
slope of Mine Hill, and west side of Mill Creek, 
adjoining the borough of St. Clair, three miles distant 
from Pottsville. 

It occupies the same relative position with the 
other largest collieries in Schuylkill County, south of 
Broad Mountain, on the great productive coal beds 
of the region. 

It is but three miles distant from the head of the 

• 

Beading Bailroad and Schuylkill navigation, by the 
former ninety-eight miles, and by the latter one hun¬ 
dred and nine miles from Philadelphia, being the 
nearest to market of any large white-ash colliery in the 
anthracite coal-fields. 

The following extract from official documents will 
show the product of this mine for some years past, 
and give you at once an idea of its great capacity*. 




25 


Coal Shipments from the Hickory 

past seven yjears. 

Colliery for the 

1857,. 

81,135 tons. 

1858, . . . . . 

104,087 44 

1859, . . . ... 

127,020 44 

1860,. 

116,118 44 

1861,. 

• 

92,236 44 

1862, . 

122,645 44 

1863, . . . 

• 98,579 44 


Averaging one hundred and five thousand nine 
hundred and seventy-four tons per annum for the 
seven years past. 

This result is, perhaps, a satisfactory report in 
itself, coupled with the other important fact that the 
colliery is daily at work with the same prospect of 
production for a great number of years in the future. 
It is proposed, and I think wisely, to change the plan 
of mining the coal from the mines, so as to decrease 
its cost, and add very much annually to its production. 

The present slope workings are on the eastern 
portion of the lands, but have receded gradually west¬ 
ward until the main body of the coal acquired in the 
new grant lies nearly a mile west of the slope, which 
is now about four hundred yards in depth. The 
magnificent basin of coal, four thousand two hundred 
feet long, now being developed, and which underlies 
the Flowery Field and Ellmaker tracts can be pene¬ 
trated by a shaft from the surface at a depth of about 








26 


one hundred yards, when the coal can be hoisted in 
much less time than in slopes of the same depth. 

For the capacity of such a shaft I beg leave here 
to quote the result of working in English mines at 
great depths, and there is. no reason why we should 
not make the same product. 


NAME OF COLLIERIES. 

Depth of Shafts. 

Tons of Coal 
lifted per day of 

twelve hours. 

Bedlington Co., . 

• • 

• • 

190 yards. 

1,000 tons. 

do., 

• • 

• • 

260 “ 

1,170 “ 

Seaton Delaval, . 

• • 

• • 

224 “ 

1,000 “ 

North Seaton, . 

• • 

• • 

248 “ 

1,200 “ 

Ryehope Colliery, 

• • 

• • 

560 “ 

2,000 “ 


The writer who kindly furnishes the above data, 
from Gateshead, dated July 6th, 1863, says, “With 
proper appliances, I see no difficulty in drawing one 
thousand tons a day out of pits from one hundred to 
three hundred yards deep.” If, therefore, your col¬ 
liery is worked but two hundred and fifty days in the 
year, your shaft should yield two hundred and fifty 
thousand tons per annum, the lift of coal being 
shorter than in any of the above quoted data. 

This shaft will open a basin of coal three-fourths 
of a mile in length by one-fourth of a mile wide, all 
of which is underlaid with the Mammoth and Seven- 














27 


foot coal beds, the former averaging twenty-three feet 
in thickness, and the latter seven feet, in all ten yards 
of good coal thickness, the quality of which is not 
excelled anywhere. 

The existence and exact form and extent of this 
deposit of coal is demonstrated by actual workings 
from the slope and other overlying conformable beds. 

You may safely expect several millions tons of 
marketable coal from the basin in the northern por¬ 
tion of the Ellmaker tract and Flowery Field tract. 
Apart from this north basin the same coal beds rising 
over an axis, and again dip south under the whole of 
above lands, where the coals must be opened by 
another shaft, or perhaps a slope, and thus develop 
the immense body of coal in the southern half of the 
lands now under consideration. 

[Note. —The Company has $100,000 in cash now 
deposited in the United States Mint at Philadelphia 
to be used for the purpose of sinking the shaft and 

making the improvements suggested by Mr. Sheafer. 

> 

The work was commenced some two months ago, and 
is being pushed forward with all possible speed. 
November 5, 1864.] 

The new colliery will be at the head of the West 
Norwegian, but ninety-six and one-half miles from 
Philadelphia, on the Mount Carbon branch of the 
Heading Railroad. 


28 


You will gather from these details these essential 
and important facts :— 

. 1st. There are large areas of coal to yield a large 
product for years to come. 

2d. The quality of the coal, being from the Mam¬ 
moth and Seven-foot veins, is unquestionable. Its 
reputation for years past is of the highest character. 

3d. There is no nearer coal to tidewater in the 
anthracite coal-fields. 

With such evidences, the facts of which are here 
patent, I come willingly to the conclusion to recom¬ 
mend the Hickory Colliery as one of the foremost in 
my knowledge. . If it were possible to continue the 
present management, both in the mining, preparing, 
shipping and selling, of the coal,, with additional 
capital for a more extensive colliery establishment, 
knowing the character and experience of the gentle¬ 
men now in charge, I would the more especially 
recommend it to your particular attention. 

An inventory in detail is here appended of all the 
engines, breaker, houses, iron, cars, etc., procured at 
a great expense, and now in action and efficient use. 

Also the report of the mine inspector as to the 
minutiae of the internal arrangement of the mines. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

P. W. SHEAFER, 

Engineer of Mines . 


Pottsville, May 6, 1864. 


29 


It must also be remembered that while this valua¬ 
ble estate is being opened by shafts or otherwise at 
the west end, and a large colliery there established, 
the present slope will also continue its usual work, 
and will earn a large revenue, a part of which can be 
used for the above particular object. The facilities 
for mining, drainage, ventilation of mines by a sepa¬ 
rate engine, and the extensive arrangements for the 
preparation of coal in the best possible manner here, 
are rarely excelled anywhere. 

P. W. S. 




30 


HICKORY COLLIERY. 


INVENTORY OF PROPERTY AND STATEMENT BY MESSRS. 
WM. MILNES AND CO., THE FORMER OWNERS. 


Engines at the Hickory Colliery. 


No. 

Horse power. 

1. Old slope pumping and hoisting, 

. 120 

2. New “ “ “ “ 

. 100 

• 

3. Hoisting and pumping at slope No. 3, 

. 85 

4. Plane, . . . . 

. 50 

5. New slope hoisting, .... 

. 50 

6. Pumping at mountain slope, 

. 35 

7. Breaking engine, .... 

. 34 

8. Hoisting from shaft above water-level, 

. 35 

9. Saw-mill, ..... 

. 25 

10. Pea coal and loading, 

. 15 • 

11. Blacksmith and carpenter shop, . 

8 

12 and 13. Two portable engines, . 

8 


566 

There are three slopes, as follows, viz.:— 

No. 1. On Mammoth and Seven-foot veins. 

2 . “ “ “ “ « 

3. New slope on Mountain. 





31 


Mammoth Vein averages twenty-five feet in thickness. 
Seven-feet 44 44 twelve 44 “ 44 

Mountain 44 44 twenty-two 44 44 44 

In addition to these we have the Skidmore under 
lying the Mammoth, averaging twelve feet in thick¬ 
ness, for which we are now searching, and if found, 
as we expect will be, contains a large amount of coal, 
both above and below the water-level. 


276 slope cars, worth $80 each, . 

$22,080 00 

500 tons T rail, 44 $55 per ton, 

27,500 00 

One 10-inch pump, worth 

2,500 00 

r 

One 14-inch “ 4 4 

4,500 00 

One 16-inch 44 44 

4,500 00 

One breaker, cost .... 

70,000 00 

Slope engine houses, fixtures and water 


fixtures, ...... 

15,000 00 

Saw-mill house and fixtures, 

1,500 00 

Blacksmith and carpenter shop and tools, 

1,500 00 

10 blocks of houses, at $700 per block, 

7,000 00 

Stables for thirty horses, 

500 00 

Screens, scrap iron and merchantable 


iron, ....•• 

2,000 00 

48 mules and horses, at $140 each, 

6,720 00 


$165,300 00 


The present fixtures are ample for the present 
colliery, including the coal in the Skidmore, if found. 
Engine No. 4 can be removed from the plane to the 




32 


new breaker at the shaft. The amount of T rail on 
hand can be used in opening and working the shaft 
for the next ten years. 

In the present workings, we have gangway driven 
on six hundred thousand tons of coal, for which in 
ordinary times, we allow ten cents per ton—$60,000 ; 
now worth a much larger sum. 

In the Ellmaker and Flowery Field tracts, it is esti¬ 
mated that there are six million tons yet unopened, 
which will be reached through the contemplated shaft. 
A favorable lease can be had on the Mount Laffy tract, 
if desired, which is estimated at two million tons, but 
we think there is abundance of coal to satisfy all 
parties in the Flowery Field and Ellmaker tracts. 

Our rents average from 24f to 25J cents per ton, 
according to the proportion of lump and chestnut coal 
made from year to year, as the market requires. 

Tolls to Port Carbon, the terminus of Philadelphia 
and Reading Railroad, are five and a half cents per 
ton. Cost of coal at Port Carbon, two dollars per ton. 

Yours truly, 

WM. MILNES, JR., & CO. 


March 22d, 1864. 


33 


HICKORY COLLIERY. 


REPORT OF MINE INSPECTOR. 


Port Carbon, April 11th, 1864. 

To P. W. Sheafer, Esq., Mining Engineer , Pottsville , 

Pennsylvania : 

Dear Sir, —According to request I examined the 
Hickory Mines at St. Clair, and beg leave to report 
as follows:— 

Number ojae, or Old Slope, is sunk on the Big vein, 
at the bottom of which they have driven their gangway 
south to the Seven-foot vein, then extended their gang¬ 
way westward over the New Slope to a cross-cut, sixty- 
six and two-thirds yards, which runs north to the Big 
vein. In the east gangway of this cross-cut they have 
their stables, capable of holding a large number of 
mules ; excellent stables, with a travelling way through 
them into west side of the New Slope. To the second 



opening to the Big vein is closed up at present, but 
they intend to open it soon, when they will get ten or 
twelve breasts on the Big vein. To third cross-cut, 


3 




34 


two hundred and ninety-nine yards. To number four 
cross-cut, two hundred and one yards. This opening 
stands one thousand and seventeen yards from the 
bottom of the slope, and is their principal place for 
coal at present in this slope. It runs west from this 
point, three hundred and sixty yards, to the face of 
the gangway. This gangway is standing at present, 
and they are driving a heading out of it to the main 
air course. When they get into it, they intend turning 
the course of this gangway southward to the top slate, 
till they have passed the air hole about the same 
distance, when they will turn their course back north 
to the bottom slate, thus leaving sufficient pillar to 
support the air hole; there they will open breasts, 
and work the coal as they are now doing east of the 
air course. This gangway has to go seven hundred 
and fifty yards to the western line of the Flowery 
Field tract on both veins. 

From the eastern line of the Ellmaker tract to the 
western line of the Flowery Field tract they have two 
ranges of coal before them, or a hundred yards of 
breast, running six hundred and twenty-seven yards on 
both veins. In the face of this gangway the bottom 
bench of the vein stands eight feet thick, like glass. 
The whole thickness of the vein is twenty-three feet. 
Dip, twenty-two degrees. 

% 

No. 1. Breast just turned up from the gangway, 
forty-eight feet. The top coal is standing up yet 


<« 


85 % 

thirty-six feet wide. Run up, at this point, one hun¬ 
dred and fifty feet to the level of the range above. 

No. 2. Breast up sixty feet. Have to go ninety 
feet. Excellent coal. 

No. 3. Breast up sixty feet. Have to 'go ninety 
feet. Same character. 

No. 4. Breast up 1 sixty feet. No variation in the 
coal. Twenty-three feet thick in the breasts. 

No. 5. Is up seventy-five feet. Same character coal. 
No. 6. Breast is up seventy-five feet. Same char¬ 
acter coal. 

No. 7. Breast is up one hundred and five feet. 
Same character coal. 

No. 8. Breast is up ninety-nine feet. Same char¬ 
acter coal. 

No. 9. Breast is up one hundred and five feet. 
Same character coal. 

No. 10. Breast taking part off the outside pillar. 
No. 11. Breast up one hundred and fourteen feet. 
Working with one schute, the other having been 
broken in with fall of coal. 

No. 12. Breast up one hundred and fifty feet. 
Finished taking part off the pillars. 

No. 13. Breast up one hundred and fourteen feet. 
Excellent coal. 

Under this level, and between it and the lower 
range, there is a pillar or range of coal, two hundred 
and thirty-one feet wide, and two thousand one hun¬ 
dred and seventy-one yards long, from the new slope 




/ 


36 


to the western line of the Flowery Field tract on both 
veins. 


New Slope . 

The first cross-cut off the gangway is driven south 
two hundred yards to the Seven-foot. From this point 
they will have two hundred yards of a breast the 
whole extent of the property. They are now just 
turning their gangway in the face to go west. The 
coal is good; seven feet thick; quite flat. The 
wagons will go into all the breasts. In this cross-cut 
the Big vein makes a jump up in the shape of a 
saddle, where they intend turning a gangway to run 
west, which may possibly lead them to a large field of 
coal on the Mammoth vein. A little inside of this 
cross-cut they have an opening or monkey gangway 
coming out of their present workings on the Seven- 
foot, almost eight feet above the level of the road. 
They are now starting a gangway back, west of the 
cross-cut, to come out level with it. When this is 
completed, which will not take long, it will be of great 
advantage to them in bringing their coal out of then’ 
present workings on the Seven-foot vein. At present, 
they are hauling their coal several hundred yards west, 
then back east, the same distance, along their main 
gangway, to reach the bottom of the slope. The above 
opening will give them a direct route or outlet to the 
bottom of the slope. 


37 


t 


The workings now open on the Seven-foot vein in 
the deep slope, are:— 

No. 1. Breast just started. Very hard coal. Eight 
feet thick. 

No. 2. Breast up thirty-six feet. Not quite opened 
out yet. 

No. 3. Breast up forty feet. These breasts, all of 
them, have to go one hundred and fifty feet, thirty- 
three feet wide and eight feet high. Strong, good 
coal. 

No. 4. Breast up thirty-six feet. Same character. 

No. 5. Breast up as far as it has to go. 

Between numbers four and five they are turning a 
cross-cut in on the lower side, where they will have 
two hundred feet of breast. 

No. 6. Breast up ninety feet. Excellent coal. 

No. 7. Breast up seventy-five feet. Same character. 

No. 8. Breast up one hundred and five feet. Same 
character. 

No. 9. Breast. The men were just finishing this 
breast. 

No. 10. Breast. Have to go thirty feet yet. 

No. 11. Breast. Finished. 

No. 12. Breast. Finished. 

No. 13. Laying a plane up through this breast to a 
level above, to bring the coal down from eleven 
breasts, where the coal is exceedingly good, and of a 
better quality than the general run of this vein—eight 
feet thick. The breasts will run one hundred and fifty 



38 


\ 


feet and thirty-three feet wide. Just the same as the 
range below it. 

At the bottom of this plane they have an opening 
to what is known as the Four-foot vein. This is an 
excellent bench of coal, four feet thick. They intend 
to work some of it. 

West of this point, a little way, they are repairing 
their main gangway on the ‘Big vein. They have just 
now been making a new gangway through the coal on 
the south side, around a tunnel that had closed in 
entirely, and are just coming out into the gangway on 
the west end of the turnout. The coal is about the 
same thing all over the work, twenty-three feet thick ; 
clear, glassy coal. 

There is not much of the coal worked on this range. 
The breasts are only turned in a few feet from the 
gangway. Mr. Milnes says they could not work much 
of the coal for want of air. That is, if they had 
worked this range to its full capacity, as would have 
been their interest to have done, it would have used 
up all their air, when it had to pass through the lower 
workings, and then back through, and air the workings 
above. Having this difficulty to contend with, they 
chose rather to take the coal out above, and leave the 
greater part of the coal in below for future workings. 
This gangway has been driven with the top slate of 
the vein. 

Near the bottom of the slope on this gangway they 


39 


have run in north to the bottom slate, and are taking 
out several pillars splendid coal. 

The mines are very well ventilated. They have an 
air hole up to the surface near the face of their deep 
slope, four hundred yards up, and ten feet square. At 
the top of it they have a fan, twelve feet in diameter 
and four feet wide, turned by a thirty horse-power 
engine, which draws a sufficient current of air through 
the workings to answer all purposes. This must cer¬ 
tainly be one of the very best arrangements to ventilate 
mines, and it is constructed so simply that there is not 
much danger of its getting out of order. The roads 
in both of these slopes are forty-inch tracks. They 
have in use and on hand three hundred tons of T rail. 
The drift-cars measure eight feet, nine inches in length; 
three feet deep; three feet wide. These cars will 
carry a ton and a half of coal. 

The old slope is nine hundred and eighty feet deep, 
with a sixteen-inch pump, and lifts the water five 
hundred and fifteen feet, and delivers it in a monkey 
gangway where it runs off. 

New slope, one thousand three hundred and 
twenty-five feet deep, with a fourteen-inch pump, and 
lifts its water six hundred and ninety-four feet, where 
the sixteen-inch pump in the old slope receives it. 

have a new ten-inch pump, with all its fixtures 
complete, lying on the bank, ready to put in at any 
time they may find it necessary to do so. 










40 


The north slope on an overlap of the Mammoth 
vein is sunk three hundred and nine feet. In this 
slope there is a fourteen-inch pump. The gangway 
west has been in a puich all the way, but will no doubt 
be in coal in a few yards as the coal is dipping south¬ 
west, and is now within seven yards to the gangway. 
On the east gangway they have the Mammoth vein in 
excellent order, twenty feet thick, like glass. The 
roads in this slope are 48-inch track. The size 
of wagons, eight feet, nine inches, long; two feet, 
nine inches, deep; three feet wide. This will doubt¬ 
less be a good concern, as I have seen the coal a little 
way west of them, where worked by Frock and 
ShaefFer. Twenty-two years ago they worked the 
same vein. They had excellent coal. 

To recapitulate : The pillar under the water-level, 
61 yards deep, and 2,171 yards in extent from east to 
west. Big vein, 20 feet thick ; Seven-foot, seven feet 
thick,—making 27 feet of coal, giving 130,260 super¬ 
ficial yards=1,172,340 cubic yards, or 31,653,180 
cubic feet. Allowing 52f| cubic feet to a ton after 
mined and passed through the breaker, and all waste 
subtracted, it will give 600,238^5 tons. 

The pillar under the middle range, 77 yards deep, 
and 2,171 yards long=27 feet of coal=167,167 
superficial yards=l,504,503 cubic yards=40,621,581 
cubic feet= 770,305iW tons. 

Flowery Field tract, 198 acres, one acre of coal on the 
Mammouth and Seven-feet veins 27 feet thick=4,840 





41 


square yards—430,560 cubic yards 1,167,120 cubic 
feet=22,302Jf tons. 

And in 198 acres, .... 4,415,938!! 

Ellmaker Tract, 200 acres, at 22,302j f 

per acre,. 4,460,544 

Total amount of coal embraced in Wm. 

i 

Milnes & Co’s lease, according to the 

above figures, will be . . . 10 , 247 , 026- T 2 |5 

Allowing one-eighth, to be left in the shape of pillars 
and stumps for the protection of life and property, it 
will be seen that there is included in the above lease 
8,966,147x2! of available coal. 

If there were two more openings made in this 

immense bed of coal, say two shafts on the Wadesville 
side, one in the centre of the property, and another 

near the southern line of the Ellmaker tract, in con¬ 
nection with their present workings at St. Clair, and 
those three places worked in a prudent manner, it will 
be seen that each operation may produce one hundred 
thousand tons a year from the three works, for thirty 
years. And then if these openings were made, there 
would be no difficulty in leasing the adjoining tracts, 
which would increase the amount of coal in the same 
ratio, and be of great advantage to the operators in 
their facilities for shipping a large amount of coal. 

Yours, very respectfully, 


(Signed,) 


JAMES THOMAS. 





42 


WOLF COLLIERY 

AND 

LOCUST GAP COLLIERY. 


REPORT BY P. W. SHEARER, ENGINEER OP MINES. 


Pottsyille, April 26, 1864. 

Gentlemen :— 

The collieries on the lands of the Locust Moun¬ 
tain Improvement Company are located in Northum¬ 
berland County, Pennsylvania, on the east side of the 
gap in Cocust Mountain, one hundred and twenty 
miles by Leading Railroad from Philadelphia, and 
twenty-five miles from Sunbury, the junction of the 
Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, and the Northern 
Central, giving a direct route in a distance of one 
hundred and sixty-three miles to Baltimore. From 
Sunbury you also have the advantage of canal to Har¬ 
risburg, Columbia, Havre de Grace, Baltimore, &c., 
while from Schuylkill Haven, on the Reading Rail¬ 
road, you have the advantage of the Schuylkill 
navigation. 

The leases on above lands cover the north and south 
slopes of the Locust Mountain, which mountain forms 




43 


the northern boundary of the great Mahanoy coal-fields 
and the southern limit of the Shamokin coal-basin. 

The largest collieries of the anthracite coal-fields 
are located along the basis of this noted coal moun¬ 
tain. The “ Locust Gap ” Colliery is upon the Mam¬ 
moth coal bed. 

On the north slope of the Locust Mountain, you 
have a run of twelve hundred yards on the north 
dip of the Mammoth, now being mined, with breaker, 
engines, drift roads, cars, mules, miners’ houses, store, 
office, shops, stables, &c.,—all the necessary fixtures 
of an anthracite colliery. 

On the south slope of Locust Mountain you have a 
drift on the Mammoth bed with one mile of length 
and all above water-level. This coal is carried to the 
breaker at the above named colliery over a drift road, 
where it is prepared for market. 

The “Wolf” Colliery is south of above, where you 
have a drift above water-level again on the Mammoth 
coal bed, where an anticlinal axis divides the north- 
and south dips, thus affording two gangways on the 
same bed dipping in different directions. The north¬ 
ern will form a fine basin of coal with the south dip 

v 

in drift No. 2, from where it can be mined by a slope 
on either dip, or by a vertical shaft in the centre of 
the basin. A still larger body of coal can be secured 
on the south slope of above named axis, first from the 
present drift above water-level, then by a slope or 
shaft to reach the great basin of coal below level. 


44 


This south dip is the main northern boundary of 
the great Mahanoy coal-field. That it extends to a 
good depth I have no doubt. That this Mammoth 
coal shows the largest quantity and best quality of 
coal cannot be doubted. 

The quantity is very much increased by the undu¬ 
lations which occur here; elevating the coal bed 
much nearer the surface, rendering the coal much 
more accessible and more cheaply mined than if 
obliged to sink to a great depth to mine the coal. 
You have here a wide area of coal, one mile in 
length, which must yield an immense quantity of coal 
for years to come. 

The drift, branch railroads, qars, mines, &c., are all 
new, and in good condition. You also have almost 
ready a new and complete coal-breaker, built on 
• Cleaver’s improved plan, and with all the modem 
improvements. It is a most complete affair. 

[Note. The breaker and improvement at the Wolf 
Colliery have been completed and are in full working 
order. Nov. 5, 1864.] 

Your conveniences for shipment by the Mine Hill 
branch of the Heading Railroad are good, making 
your distance one hundred and twenty miles to tide¬ 
water at Richmond on the Delaware, at Philadelphia. 
You have beside a connection with a branch of the 
Northern Central Railroad, say twenty-five miles dis- 


45 


tant from Sunbury, on the Susquebannah, where you 
can ship coal northward to the great lakes via the 
Philadelphia and Erie Railroad or by canal or railroad 
along the Susquehannah Valley to tide-water at Balti¬ 
more, and thence to other ports. 

With such # a location and the very favorable posi¬ 
tion of the coal beds near the surface, I commend 
your mines to the especial notice of practical men. 

The following sketch shows the Mammoth coal 
embraced in your lease. 



You will at once perceive how much more desira¬ 
ble it is with the Mammoth coal thus undulating 
gently near the surface so as to make it conveniently 
accessible, rather than to penetrate to a great depth 
for it. This I consider an important feature, which 
must recommend it to your attention. Beside the 
“Wolf” is a new colliery, with new and good im¬ 
provements, just ready for a good market, and must 
ship a large amount of coal. I am very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 



P. W. SHEAEER, 

Engineer of Mines. 








46 


CHARLES E. SMITH COLLIERY 

AND THE 

TUSCARORA COLLIERY. 


REPORT BY P. V. SHEAFER, ENGINEER OF MINES. 


These collieries are located in the Schuylkill Valley, 
twelve miles east of Pottsville, and four miles west of 
Tamaqua, and include the south dipping coals in the 
south slope of Locust Mountain, embraced within the 
lands of the Tuscarora owners, Messrs. Alter, Steven¬ 
son and others, also those of the Bank of Kentucky 
lands, and partly in those of the Little Schuylkill Coal 
and Navigation Company. This site was especially 
selected by myself, and the lands consolidated, with 
particular reference to one or more large and perma¬ 
nent collieries. 

♦ 

The Mammoth or “E” bed of coal having been 

extensively and profitably worked above water-level 

on the western of above tracts, and also at Tamaqua, 

on the east, where it proved the main resource of the 

Little Schuylkill Coal and Navigation Company for 

years past, we selected this intermediate point to open 
% 

a new and extensive colliery. 









47 


The Palmer or Primrose, a coal of well-established 
reputation, has also been extensively worked in the 
same basin. 

Beside the local character of these and other coals 
adjacent, they have a well-known reputation through¬ 
out the anthracite coal-fields for supplying more than 
half of the whole anthracite coal trade for some years 

m 

past, and as reliable and persistently good beds of coal. 

• The working length on each of the coal beds below 
water-level is three miles in extent, being more than 
twice as long as the average run in other large col¬ 
lieries. This length, multiplied by a depth of three 
hundred yards, and then by a moderate estimate of 
the thickness of the coal beds, rated at but ten yards, 
would give a cubic quantity equal to fifteen millions 
eight hundred and forty thousand tons, or cubic yards, 
of coal. If from this amount you deduct one-half for 

pillars and waste in mining and preparing the coal, 

« 

you still have over seven and a half millions of tons of 
coal—equal to a shipment of two hundred thousand 
tons per annum for nearly forty years. 

Apart from this immense amount of coal below 
water-level, there is an extensive length and height 
of coal above water-level which is now accessible, and 
is daily producing coal, of the best white-ash quality, 
through a tunnel now open to it. 

You thus, in conjunction with the breaker, engines, 
screens, railroads, tunnels, drifts, drift-roads and other 
appurtenances of a colliery, have a productive and 




48 


profitable mine now at work, and with a good prospect 
of years of continuance; while you have another, 
Chas. E. Smith,” much larger, where they are now 
sinking a slope, erecting a large and commodious 
breaker, with engines for hoisting, pumping, breaking, 
&c., &c., and with all the other detailed and numerous 
arrangements for an extensive colliery below water- 
level. 

[Note. —The slope has been sunk and the other 
improvements nearly completed. The colliery will 
be ready to ship coal in about four weeks from this 
date. November 5, 1864.] 

These improvements are being built with a view to 
permanency, in a substantial manner, and are located 
midway of the extremes of the land, where the coal 
can be readily run to either breaker from the slope, 
tunnel or drift, and will soon be in readiness for work. 

One branch of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad is now 
shipping coal, and another is in progress of construc¬ 
tion, intended for the transportation of the coal from 
these two collieries. 

• 

The new branch railroad, now constructing, will 
place above collieries in railroad connection with the 
Little Schuylkill Railroad at Tamaqua, from whence 
eastern outlets will soon be built. The distance by 
this route to Philadelphia is one hundred and one 
miles, or by way of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad and 


) 





49 


Pottsville to Philadelphia, is one hundred and six 
miles. 

With so superior an article of coal above, as well as 
below water-level, an enormous quantity, and of cheap 
access, compared with the large collieries of the second 
or Mahanoy Coal-Field, more remote, these collieries 
will commend themselves to the attention * of any one 
familiar with coals, or desiring such an investment. 
I have no hesitation in commending them to the atten¬ 
tion of capitalists. 

This Smith Colliery was organized under the aus¬ 
pices of the Heading Railroad, and therefore named 
after its president, and the work is being executed by 
one of the best mining superintendents in the State. 
As a mining engineer, I am glad to know that my 
opinion of the place is more than confirmed by the 
actual developments of the coal now opening to the 
miners, both as to quantity and quality. The length 
of run is greater, and the breasts higher, giving much 
more coal above water-level than we at first predicted 
there would be. 

The “Charles E. Smith” and “Tuscarora” collieries, 
when fully opened, will compare favorably in all 
respects with any now at work in the Schuylkill or 
Mahanoy coal district. I am, very respectfully, your 

obedient servant, P. W. SHEAFER, 

Engineer of Mines , Sfc. 

Pottsville, Pa., April 30th, 186^. 


4 




50 


LOCUST MOUNTAIN COLLIERY. 


REPORT BY P. W. SHEAFER, ENGINEER OF MINES. 


Pottsyille, April 27, 1864. 

Gentlemen, — The Locust Mountain Colliery is 
located on the south dip of the Mammoth Coal Bed, 
on the south slope of the Locust Mountain, in the 
Mahanoy Coal-Field, Northumberland and Columbia 
Counties, and about two miles north-west of the 
Borough of Ashland in Schuylkill County, Penn¬ 
sylvania. 

It has three connections by railroad with the gene¬ 
ral market. 

1st. Bv the Mine Hill Branch of the Beading 
Eailroad, one hundred and fifteen and a half miles to 
Philadelphia. 

2d. By the Mahanoy and Broad Mountain branch 
of the Beading Bailroad, one hundred and twelve 
miles to Philadelphia. 

3d. By the Mine Hill and the Pottsville and 
Shamokin Valley Bailroad, branch of the Northern 
Central Bailroad, which connects with the main stem 





51 


and with the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad at the 
Borough of Sunbury, on the Susquehannah River, and 
finally tide-water at Baltimore and Philadelphia, say 
one hundred and sixty-six miles to the former city. 

You are also put in connection with the lake trade 
and the great West by the Philadelphia and Erie Rail¬ 
road, as above named. 

The slope is down one hundred and sixteen yards 
on the south dip of the Mammoth coal. A gangway 
is driven eastward four hundred yards in good coal, 
and has yet nine hundred yards of unwrought coal to 
work in the same direction, where the coal now is 
from twenty-five to thirty feet thick. 

On the west side of the slope the gangway is 
driven seven hundred yards, and has yet some fifteen 
hundred yards of coal to the western limit of lease. 

Thus you have over two thousand four hundred 
yards of coal, from twenty to thirty feet thick, which 
must yield a very large tonnage. 

This coal is now lifted and the water pumped by a 
sixty horse-power engine, and sixteen-inch pump, in 
good order and daily at work. 

The coal above water-level on the Mammoth is 
now being mined, and the tunnel now driven to it 
should be continued northward, so as to open the 
Skidmore and other lower coal beds. 

The Primrose coal is now opened by a drift, and 
working above water. It shows a good quality of 
coal of fourteen feet in thickness, a long run and 




52 


considerable breast, and will add very much to the 
general aggregate yield of the colliery. 

Very respectfully, yours, &c., 

P. W. SHEAEER, 

Engineer of Mines , fyc., Pottsville, Penn. 


[Note. It will be seen by the General Superin¬ 
tendent’s Report that the condition of this colliery 
has been much improved since the Company took 
possession.] 






53 


MAHANOY YALLEY COLLIERY. 


REPORT BY P. W. SHEAFER, ENGINEER OF MINES. 


Pottsville, April 5, 1864. 

Gentlemen :— 

The 44 Mahanoy Valley Colliery ” is located on the 
north slope of Broad Mountain, and south side of the 
Mahanoy Valley, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, 
and immediately opposite, and but one-fourth of a 
mile distant from, the 44 Gilberton Colliery.” It is 
eleven miles and one-half distant from the head of 
the Beading Bailroad, on the Mahanoy City Branch 
of the Mahanoy and Broad Mountain Bailroad, a 
branch or extension of the Beading; eight miles 
east of Ashland, and four miles west of Mahanoy 
City, connecting at the former place with the Mine 
Hill and Schuylkill Haven Bailroad, and at the latter 
place with the East Mahanoy Bailroad,—thus having 
the .advantage of three outlets from the Mahanoy 
Valley by rail to Philadelphia. All of the said roads 
also connect with the Schuylkill navigation at three 
distinct points, namely, — Port Carbon, Schuylkill 
Haven, and Port Clinton. 

The distance by rail from Port Carbon to Philadel¬ 
phia is one hundred and seven miles; by canal, one 




54 


hundred and eight. From Port Carbon to the Col¬ 
liery, twelve miles, making the most direct route to 
Philadelphia one hundred and nineteen miles by rail 
and one hundred and twenty miles by canal. The 
Lehigh and Malianoy Railroad is now under construc¬ 
tion within two miles of the above Colliery. This 
road connects with the Beaver Meadow, Lehigh Valley 
and New Jersey Central Roads, thus affording a direct 
route to New York in a distance of one hundred and 
fifty miles. 

These advantages of several outlets to the leading 
markets of the seaboard are so apparent as not to 
require comment. 

It may further be said that no colliery in the 
Mahanoy region possesses superior advantages in this 
respect. 

The main essential in this Colliery is the vast 
amount of superior coal within the limit of its 
boundaries. 

The accompanying cross-section, made upon the 
ground, shows the several coal beds already opened, 
the order of their succession, inclination, thickness, 
amount of breast above water-level, &c., &c. 

The following is the series of coal in the lease, 
viz.: 

1st. Rough coal, three feet thick, cut in tunnel. 

2d. Primrose coal, ten feet thick, cut in tunnel. 

3d. Furnace coal, four feet thick, cut in tunnel. 




55 


4th. Mahanoy bed, twelve feet thick, cut in Gilber- 
ton tunnel. 

5th. Mammoth, twenty-five feet, shafted thirty-four 
feet, thick. 

6th. Cubic coal, four feet, shafted four feet, thick. 

7th. Skidmore, six feet, shafted six feet, thick. 

Total thickness, sixty-four feet. 

Thus you have over twenty yards of coal thickness, 
with a length of run or distance upon each bed of 
twenty-two hundred yards, or, if in one continuous 
line, would be seven and one-half miles in extent by 
more than five hundred yards of width or depth, making 
a cubic quantity of twenty-five million tons of coal. 

•All the above series of coal beds are opened upon 
the land in question, except the Mahanoy bed, which is 
cut in the tunnel immediately opposite at the Gilberton 
Collierv. 

The Mammoth coal is here developed to the extra¬ 
ordinary thickness of thirty-four feet, all of which is 
pure, good coal, less one and a half feet of impurity; 
but as this is greater than its average size, we have 
placed it at twenty-five feet, which is its normal 
condition. 

An important feature in the lease is the large 
amount of coal above the water-level of the tunnel, 
now being vigorously driven. . Already the Primrose 
and two smaller beds have been cut. Soon the Maha¬ 
noy bed will be reached, then the Mammoth, and 
finally the Skidmore. 





56 


The Primrose, 10 feet, will have a breast above water-level, 30 yds. 


Malianoy, 12 “ 

u 

u 

“ “ 50 “ 

Mammoth, 25 “ 


a 

« • « 75 « 

Shidmore, 6 “ 

u 

« 

“ “ 100 “ 

53 feet. 

Average, 

0 

• • • 

4) 255 yds. 

. . . 63 yds. 


These four coal beds, above water-level, fifty-three 

feet thick and five miles in length, and averaging over 

• 

fifty yards in height, must yield a large supply of good 
coal for years to come, before you are required to sink 
slopes to the coals below water-level. 

The present tunnel location, nearly midway of the 
land, after it has penetrated through all the coal beds, 
will open eight gangways, or two on each of the above 
coal beds, from whence the mule trains can pour out 
a constant stream of coal, and keep the breaker in 
continuous motion to prepare it for market. 

A large breaker is in process of construction, with 
its engine already at work driving a circular saw-mill, 
which is cutting the timber; masons and carpenters 
are all at work. Meanwhile a smaller breaker is 
already erected, and ready to ship coal, say from 
seventy-five to one hundred tons per day, until the 
larger structure is completed and the larger coal beds 
cut in the tunnel. 

The miners’ houses are partly completed, together 
with shops, stables, and all the numerous appurte¬ 
nances for an extensive colliery are being put in 


4 






57 


good working condition. All this too just at this for¬ 
tunate juncture of the coal trade when fuel is in great 
demand at very remunerative prices. 

I do not hesitate to recommend the Mahanoy Val¬ 
ley Colliery to the favorable consideration of those 
interested in the anthracite coal trade of Penn¬ 
sylvania. 

The three important essential characteristics of a 
large colliery are here patent, namely: 

1st. Quantity of coal. 

2d. Unsurpassed quality of coal. 

3d. A proximity to market comparable with the 
most favorably located large collieries of the Mahanoy. 

I am, very* respectfully, 

Yours, &c., 

P. W. SHEAFEP, 

Engineer of Mines . 

[Note. —Since the Company took possession, the 
tunnel has been driven to the Mammoth vein, and 
the gangways have been opened, the breaker, miners’ 
houses, and all other improvements, completed, and 
the colliery put in full working order. November 5, 
1864.] 


* 





58 


BY-LAWS 


ARTICLE I. 

The affairs of this Company shall be managed, and all officers, 
agents and clerks appointed, by a Board of Directors, to consist of 
five members. Until the first annual election the affairs of the 
Company shall be managed by the Directors elected at the meeting 
of corporators held at 205^ Walnut Street, Philadelphia, on the 
fifth day of October, A. D. 1864. And if at any time a vacancy 
shall occur in the Board of Directors, by resignation or otherwise, 
the board shall fill such vacancy by electing another member who 
shall hold the position until the annual election by the stockholders. 
The Directors shall be elected at the general meeting of the stock¬ 
holders, to be held annually on the second Wednesday in September, 
in the city of Philadelphia, upon two weeks notice being given of 
the time and place of said election, in at least two of the newspapers 
of said city, and in Boston. 

ARTICLE II. 

The officers of the Company shall consist of a President, Treas¬ 
urer and Secretary, of whom the President shall be designated 
from the number of Directors and elected by them; and the Treas¬ 
urer and Secretary elected by the same. 

ARTICLE III. 

Stated meetings of the board shall be held the second and fourth 
Wednesdays in every month, and special meetings shall be called at 
the option of the President, or shall be called by the President, at 







59 




the request of any two members of the board, in writing, or by 
written request of stockholders representing one-third of the stock, 
of which special meetings at least twenty-four hours notice shall be 
given; a majority of the members of the board shall constitute a 
quorum for the transaction of business. 

ARTICLE IV. 

• • 

The President shall preside at all meetings of the board and 

perform all such other duties as may be imposed upon him by the 
by-laws and resolutions of the Boar*d of Directors, and shall at all 
times have a general direction and superintendence of the affairs of 
the Company, and all subordinate officers, agents, clerks and other 
employees of the Company; subject, however, at all times, to the 
advice and instruction of the Board of Directors or a meeting of 
the stockholders. 

He shall have the custody of the bond of the Treasurer. 

ARTICLE Y. 

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and pay out, 
under the direction of the board and agreeably to its by-laws, all 
moneys which he may receive, from time to time, for the use of the 
Company. ITis books shall at all times be open to the inspection of 
the President, or any member of the board; and he shall give such 
security as the board may direct. He shall sign and superintend, 
in connection with the President, the transfer of its stock and the 
issuing of certificates thereof. 

ARTICLE VI. 

The Secretary shall keep a regular record of the proceedings of 
the board, give notice to the members of all stated or special meet¬ 
ings, and attend to such other duties as the President or Board of 

<0 / 

Directors may require ; and give notice of the annual meeting of 
stockholders as provided in the first article of these by-laws. 


60 


ARTICLE VII. 

The stock of this Company shall be assignable and transferable at 
its office in Boston, either in person or by attorney duly constituted. 
But no transfer shall be allowed except the old certificate shall be 
surrendered. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

If- any person claim a certificate of stock to be issued in lieu of 
one lost*or destroyed, he shall make an affidavit of the fact, and 
state the circumstances of the loss or destruction; and he shall 
advertise in one or more of the public newspapers in the cities 
of Philadelphia and Boston, for the space of four weeks, an account 
of such loss or destruction, describing the certificate and its number, 
calling on all persons to show cause why a new certificate should 
not be issued in lieu of the one lost; and he shall transmit to the 
Secretary his affidavit, and the advertisement before mentioned, and 
give a bond of indemnity with one or more sureties, if required, (in 
the sum of one hundred dollars for each share to be renewed,) 
against any damage which may arise from issuing the new certifi¬ 
cate. Whereupon, one month after the notice by advertisement, as 
aforesaid, a new certificate of the same number and tenor with that 
lost or destroyed shall be issued, and specifying that it is in lieu 
thereof. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The payments shall be in cash for all wages accruing to miners, 
laborers, and other employees of the Company; and for all mer¬ 
chandise, machinery and materials furnished for the use of the Com¬ 
pany ; or upon such regular pay days as shall be established by said 
Company, which said pay days shall be either weekly, semi-monthly 
or monthly ; but not at longer intervals. 

ARTICLE X. 

The corporate seal shall be a circle, on which shall be borne the 
name of the Company and the year of its organization: “ The 
Mammoth Vein Consolidated Coal Company, 1864.” 


* 





61 


ARTICLE XI. 

Each holder of stock upon the payment of each share shall be , 
entitled to a certificate or certificates of his or their shares therein, 
sealed with the seal of the Company, signed by the President and 
Treasurer in the following form, to wit:— 

No. Shares. 

Mammoth Vein Consolidated Coal Company of Pennsylvania. 

Be it known that is entitled to 

shares in the capital stock of the Mammoth Vein Consolidated Coal 
Company, subject to the by-laws thereof. 

Witness the seal of the Company at Boston, Mass., this 


day of 

18 . 

• 

Treasurer. 

t 

Secretary. 


The following form of transfer shall be printed upon the back of 
each certificate. 

For value received hereby transfer and assign to 

of , shares of the Capital Stock of the 

Mammoth Vein Consolidated Coal Company. 

Boston, 18. 

ARTICLE XII. 

The by-laws may be added to, altered or amended at any time by 
a majority of the board ; notice of such alteration having been given 
at a previous meeting, which alteration must be sanctioned by two- 
thirds of the members of the board until confirmed by consent of 
two-thirds of the stockholders; but no alteration of article ninth 
shall be valid. 
















i 


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